Finger ring



Sept. 5, 1933. L. HIRSCH 1,925,250

FINGER RING Filed Dec. 5, 1951 INVENTOR- Patented Sept. 5, 1933 UNITED.STATES PATENT I0: FFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to finger rings and particularly to rings of thetype commonly worn with other rings. It enables a person to wear a pairof rings, such as a wedding ring and an engagement ring, for example, insuch relation to each other as to display both rings to best advantagewith no discomfort to the wearer.

It is well known that when a wedding ring and an engagement ring areworn upon the same finger, as is the common custom, the setting of theengagement ring tends to conflict with the upper portion of the weddingring. This may result in one or more of various undesirable effects. Forexample the setting of the engagement ring may extend over a portion ofthe wedding ring with the result that the latter is largely concealedand the two rings become interlocked in an objectionable Way. On theother hand if the wedding ring cannot take a position beneath thesetting of the engagement ring, the latter will have a tendency toassume an angular position on the finger. The inner band of theengagement ring will assume a position adjacent the band 'of the weddirrring while the setting at the top of the engagement ring will hold thetwo rings further apart on the exposed part of the finger. This not onlyresults in a display of the engagement ring setting at a disadvantage,but also places the setting well out upon the finger and has a tendencyto create an uncomfortable feeling. In accordance with the presentinvention, the wedding ring is so modified that it will not force theengagement ring setting forwardly on the finger and in turn will not beconcealed by the engagement ring. The construction is such that the tworings may assume their natural positions with their central axes in linewith the axis of the finger and the engagement ring may at the same timeassume a position well up on the finger.

A further feature of the present invention is in the formation of theparts so that the ring will be held against turning upon the finger.This feature coupled with the fact that the ring will in no part beconcealed by the engagement ring renders the invention particularlyapplicable to a wedding ring set with stones or otherwise ornamentedacross the upper portion of its periphery.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from adetailed description of an illustrative form of the same which will nowbe given in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a ring embodying the invention, as seenlargely from one face, and

Fig. 2 is a side view of the ring showing its relation to the finger andto another ring, indicated in broken lines. 6

R ferring now to the drawing, it will be observed that the illus ativering comprises an upper portion 10, a bottom portion 11 and intermediateconnecting portions 12. The upper portion 10 may be of any suitableform, either fiat across the top to any esired extent, or provided withirregular surfaces, or a series of flat sides, or made truly arcuate. Itmay vary suitably be provided with ornamental configurations or it maycarry a series of stones 13, or it may simply be left plain. These areall matters of design which may he very readily embodied, more or lessas a matter of choice, in a ring employing the features of theinvention. The lower portion 11 of the ring is preferably semi-circularin form so as to adapt it to follow the contour of the under surface ofthe finger. This portion will normally be left plain, although it willbe apparent that if desired it may also be either set with stones orornamentally configured. The relation between the portions 10 and 11 ispreferably such that they fall in separate planes, each of which isperpendicular to the axis of the finger as the ring is worn. Certain ofthe advantages of the invention may be derived, however, if the twoportions are left in the same plane but joined by an offset portion, orif the planes of the two portions are arranged at a slight angle to eachother in lieu of being strictly parallel.

The connecting portions 12 between the upper and lower parts arepreferably simply inclined at an angle of, say, 45 to the planes of themain portions, although they may, if desired, be inclined at any othersuitable angle or simply be in the form of a reverse or S curve of smallradius.

As the ring is applied to the finger, it Will be placed with the lowerportion 11 well against the webs 14 on either side of the finger. Thisportion of the ring thus falls naturally into a small pocket or recessformed in the finger at its point of junc- 1O ture with the palm of thehand. The portions 12 then overlie the webs 14 at the two sides of thefinger, while the top portion 10 assumes a position substantiallyperpendicular to the axis of the finger but in a plane somewhat closerto the mainknuckle. This top part of the ring then rests further backupon the finger than would be possible, at least Without tilting of thering as a Whole, if all parts of the ring were in a single plane. Sincean inclined or offset portion 12 overlies each of the webs 14 at the twosides of the finger, it will be apparent that turning of the ring uponthe finger will be more or less effectively prevented. This isdistinctly advantageous where the ring is provided with stones orornamentation on only a portion of its periphery since it insures properdisplay of this portion at all times.

As made apparent in Figure 2, the set-back relation of the top portionof the ring with respect to the lower portion permits another ring 15,such as an engagement ring shown in broken lines, to assume its naturalposition without interference with the wedding ring. The lower portionor" ring 15 may be in close proximity to the lower portion 11 of theother ring without causing any angling of the ring 15 to accommodate itssetting 16. This not only improves the appearance presented by the tworings but also creates a more comfortable feeling due to maintaining theengagement ring setting further removed from the finger joint.

It is to be noted that while the ring as viewed alone presents anappearance quite different from that of the ordinary ring, particularlyas viewed from the side, this difference is not apparent as the ring isworn. When the ring is worn, its side portions are concealed by theadjacent fingers. It should be observed, furthermore, that the variousadvantages pointed out are obtained without the necessity of removingany of the metal of the ring. This is an important consideration in themodern type of ring, which is usually a relatively thin band.

While the invention has been disclosed as particularly applicable to awedding ring, it will be apparent that it is also applicable to any typeof finger ring which is intended to be worn in conjunction with otherrings having overhanging settings. It may also be applied to advantageto any form of ring which it is desirable to retain in a definiteposition on the finger. Furthermore, it should be understood that whilethe inclined portions 12 are shown at substantially the midpoints of thesides of the ring, they may be located at somewhat higher or lowerpoints, although it is considered preferable to so position them thatthey will fall just above the webs between the fingers. Various otherchanges in the form and relation of the different portions of the ringmay be made without departing from the general principles and scope ofthe invention as defined by the claims.

I claim:

1. A wedding ring comprising a single, rigid,

continuous band having its major upper and lower portions in differentsubstantially parallel planes approximately at right angles to the axisof the ring, said upper and lower portions being connected by angledportions at the sides of the ring.

2. A wedding ring having two portions extending substantially across thefinger aperture offset with relation to each other and rigidly joined byintegral, angled portions to completely encircle the finger, said offsetportions being arranged in separate substantially parallel planessubstantially at right angles to the axis of the rmg.

3. A wedding ring comprising a single, rigid band having angularshoulders provided at opposite sides on one face of the ring adapted toengage the webs at the opposite sides of the finger to prevent rotationof the ring.

4. A wedding ring comprising a single, rigid band having upper and lowerportions offset and connected by web engaging portions providing a pairof shoulders on one face at the sides of the ring.

5. A wedding ring comprising a single, rigid band having its major upperand lower portions offset into different, substantially parallel planesat approximately right angles to the axis of the ring, connectingportions joining said upper and lower portions and providing a pair ofabrupt shoulders on one face adapted to engage the webs at the two sidesof a finger, the arrangement being such as to lock the ring on thefinger and prevent rotation thereof, and to accommodate the setting ofan adjacent ring without concealment of the wedding ring.

6. A wedding ring comprising a single, rigid, continuous band having itsmajor upper portion substantially in a plane, and its major lowerportion substantially in another plane, each of said planes beingarranged at not less than an angle of to the axis of the ring.

7. A wedding ring comprising a single, continuous, rigid band having an.upper portion and a lower portion, .each extending substantially acrossthe finger aperture and each lying substantially in a plane, the planesof the two portions being different and intersecting the axis of thering at an angle of not less than 75, and integral portions at the sidesof the ring joining said upper and lower portions.

LEE HIRSCH.

